[video || 001]

[cowled]

[The image opens on Bruce Wayne at his finest. He's wearing (1) new suit designed by Favrielle, and he's looking pretty swank. Because Bruce Wayne. And Reasons.]

All right, Keeliai, I have a business opportunity to propose. As of right now, I'm relaunching Wayne Enterprises. For those of you who've never heard the name before, it's a multi-national business conglomerate with a focus on humanitarian aid and the like, based out of Gotham City back home.

Anyway. For the duration of my stay here, I'm looking to start in pharmaceuticals - I'm sure you've all noticed the kedan have never even heard of ibuprofen - and work our way up from there. Essentially, I'm looking to better the quality of life for everyone on Tu Vishan, foreigner and local alike.

If anyone's interested in working for me, or if you have experience in a pharmaceutical field, feel free to contact me over the network. We can arrange a meeting in person if you'd prefer. Confidentiality is guaranteed in either case. I'm paying twice the rates the kedan offer, and I've arranged it with the local authorities such that any time you work towards me counts towards your overall work 'obligation' [can you hear the finger quotes falling around that word] here in Keeliai.

Thanks for your time.




[ooc; tags will be sketchy, but I wanted to get this up and get the ball rolling on this plot before I poofed from the internet. <3]

Comments

[cowled]

All right.

[He rocks back on his heels, but isn't quite ready to stand yet.]

I'll need tissue and blood samples. You'll have to meet one of my scientists. I'll be there the whole time, she won't hurt you.

[daughterofelysium]

[She grins ironically.] I'm used to blood and tissue samples.

[cowled]

Mmn.

[He straightens up, dusts off his pants.]

Tell me about Clint.

[More than what he's gleaned from the network, anyway.]

[daughterofelysium]

Signore Barton? Why? [Her tone is unmistakably protective.]

[cowled]

Because, indirectly or not, you're asking me to trust him too.

[His tone stays... reasonably gentle.]

[daughterofelysium]

I... can't.

[Well. That's a revelation. Triela ducks her head, hating the fact that cyborgs can blush like anyone else.] I can tell you what he did for me. I can ask him if he'll meet you. But that's all I can do.

[He's too much like her to like being talked about behind his back. Too similar in skill set for doing it to feel like anything but a betrayal.]

[cowled]

[... Interesting.]

That's sufficient.

[daughterofelysium]

[There's something weirdly reassuring in his brusqueness. He reminds her of her trainer with the Carabinieri a little bit.] He said he'd teach me the bow. Both of us got... we were...

[She can almost feel blood drooling into the cloth at her knees. Her pupils shutter wide - wider - and her focus slides off of Bruce.] The turtle's head. We got taken with the kedan. He got me to run before they killed him.

[Mechanical, a battered soldier's report. She blinks, then again, and forces herself not to shiver. She's not some sheltered Italian child. By rights she shouldn't feel much about what happened one way or the other - and she doesn't, for the kedan, really. But the thought of blood on turtle hide still makes her queasy.] I've been staying with him, since right after we helped clean out the Black Kirin.

[cowled]

[... It's not often that other people can say something in such a way that warrants Bruce respecting them on that alone, but this does it. He nods.]

Mm. Come with me. Are you all right to walk?

[daughterofelysium]

Of course. [She's chased fugitives through Milan during period cramps, Bruce. Gosh.] We're going to see your scientist?

[A pause.] Are you sure you don't need a bodyguard? Coming out here on your own was pretty stupid, even if I do just look like a kid.

[cowled]

[He nods to her first question, and then...

Welp. Then he laughs.]

I don't believe in body guards. It makes people think you feel your life is valuable enough to warrant trying to end it.

[daughterofelysium]

[She watches him sidelong as they walk, considering that.] I guess.

[That could be part of why the Agency uses kids instead of adult subjects, more than just the health risks involved.] You don't have any? The politicians and the business men in Rome use them as status symbols half the time, even if nobody wants them dead - which most people probably do, so it works out for them either way.

[cowled]

No.

[He returns that glance with the tiniest bit of a smile.]

I don't need a status symbol.

[daughterofelysium]

[An airy shrug.] That's usually the kind of thing people say when they have them and someone points it out.

[Except he doesn't have them, not here. Another curious look, masked by the awkward expression she doesn't know she gets when she's curious and trying to hide it.

She would blame Hilshire.] What happens to your business when we leave?

[cowled]

Here, you mean? I hadn't thought about it.

[That's a lie. He's got it set up so that his shares are equally distributed amongst several kedan he considers worthy, or to his children if they remain behind.]

[daughterofelysium]

You're starting a business that could change everything here and you didn't think about what to do with it after you leave?

[EXASPERATED? MAYBE A LITTLE.]

[cowled]

[He looks appropriately chided.]

I'll put some provisions in place. It can be part of our deal.

[daughterofelysium]

I really think I'm getting the better side of this. [It's weird. And she's starting to think Bruce Wayne needs serious looking after, because geez. If he's this nice to everyone there's no swindler in Keeliai that won't take advantage of him.]

[cowled]

[He raises an eyebrow, and his expression is acutely amused.]

Well, maybe. Just a little.